Dog Day at the Beach
It's Vajra and Basara's first time visiting the sea. Vajra invites Basara to go swimming with her and the crew, but the former war deity makes excuses not to join them, all the while insisting that he's not afraid of the sea. Vajra relents but offers to soul channel Basara if he gets lonely. Basara cracks a begrudging smile as Vajra runs off toward the water.
Vajra: Hellooo, sky-blue sea!
Puppies: Woof! Arf!
A girl and her faithful puppies exclaim with delight under a clear sky and smiling sun.
Puppies: Arooo!
Vajra: Stop! Not so fast, you three!
Puppies: Arr?
Vajra: There are rules you have to follow before jumping into the water! Like stretching! Um... and getting changed and stuff.
Vyrn: Hahaha! Since when did doggos need to stretch before swimming?
Lyria: As far as bathing suits go, I think they'll be fine without them.
Vajra: Oh. You know what? I think you're both right.
Vajra: Okay, you can go, pups. But I want you all to be extra careful.
Vajra: It's not like we're at the pool at Alohas! The waves here are strong and full of wild creatures!
Vajra: Play safe, understand?
Puppies: Woof!
Vajra: I wonder if they actually got the message...
They watch the puppies race toward the shoreline, crashing into each other in their haste to get to the water. Garjana growls with resignation.
Garjana: I'll handle this.
Vajra: Thanks, Gar. Don't let them get too rowdy.
Garjana: ...
Garjana nods and chases after the little scamps.
Lyria: The puppies should be fine with Gar in charge.
Vajra: Yep! C'mon, gang. Let's limber up before taking a dip ourselves.
Basara: ...
Vajra: Hm? What's up, Brosara?
Basara: This... is the sea?
Vajra: You make it sound like you've never been to the sea before.
Basara: And what if I have not! Long though I have been tethered to this world, I have not actually been "alive" for a vast majority of my existence.
Basara: In days of yore, one could not travel on a whim as you do now. It was a luxury few could afford!
Vajra: Really? Musta been a bummer. Well, it's actually my first sea trip too!
Basara: Tr-truly?
Basara: The way you lectured the little ones gave me the impression you were a seasoned sea dog.
Vajra: Nope. Been to plenty of swimming pools, but today, the sea is my playground!
Vajra: All the spirit voices in the sea are new to me too.
Vajra: It feels like... I'm being hugged by a big, tranquil presence.
Basara: Hm... I can see how you would feel that way.
According to Vajra, there is a consciousness dwelling in all things in nature.
She has the rare ability to hear the voices of these invisible spirits and can borrow their power.
Basara: Hearing their voices is no doubt reassuring, hence you show no fear upon arriving at unfamiliar places.
Vajra: Are you scared, Brosara?
Basara: Preposterous! Who made mention of being frightened!
Vajra: So... you are scared.
Basara: Fool! Nay, you are... an impudent whelp!
Basara: Have you forgotten who am I? The great Basara Kongou, hailed as the strongest Divine General in all the skies?
Vajra: I know, I know. The all-mighty first war deity.
Basara: Precisely! I am your forefather! Show some respect!
Vajra: Okey dokey, Master Forefather. Glad we got that cleared up! Since you're not scared, come swim with us!
Basara: What? Swim?
Vajra: The sea's right there. It'd be a waste not to go in.
Basara: Erm... No, I...
Vyrn: What's Basara sayin'?
The crew can't piece together the conversation between Vajra and Basara because they only have half the story.
Vajra: Oh, whoops. Forgot you can't hear Brosara.
Basara's soul resides in Vajra's blade.
The sword allows him to project a visible—though ghostly—body; thus he is no stranger to the crew.
However, only Vajra is capable of hearing his voice.
Vajra: I invited Brosara out for a swim, but he's kind of being whiny about it.
Basara: Silence! Do not stretch the truth!
Vyrn: He's more or less a ghost, right? Not sure if ghosts can swim...
Vajra: Hm... I hadn't thought of that. Which means a swimsuit would probably fall right off...
Basara: Th-that is correct! Even if I could wear one, I would not. Do not waste your time stressing over a spectral relic!
Basara: I shall busy myself by observing from the shore. Go swim and splash to your heart's content.
Vajra: Well...
Vajra: Okay! If you say so!
Vajra: Brosara told us to go on ahead without him.
Lyria: But I feel kind of bad...
Basara: I said it is fine.
Vajra: Nah, he says it's all good. Come on! I'll race you!
- Shouldn't we stretch first?
- You can't beat me!
Choose: Shouldn't we stretch first?Vajra: Ooh, good catch. Thanks for the reminder, (Captain)!
Choose: You can't beat me!Lyria: Wait! We haven't warmed up yet!
Vajra: Whoops! Good call, Lyria!
Continue 1Vajra: All right, crew! Form a circle and follow my lead!
Lyria: Okay!
Vajra: One, two, three, four!
Lyria: One, two, three, four!
Vyrn: One, two, three, four!
Basara: Hmph. Where do the youth get their energy from?
Old war deity Basara grumbles as he watches the youngsters twist and limber up.
Vajra: Whew! I'm ready to wash off this sweat.
Lyria: Then into the sea we go!
Vyrn: Yahoo! Here we come!
Vajra: Yeah!
Vajra: Here, Brosara! I'll stick the blade in the sand. Watch our stuff please!
Vajra: Let me know if you get lonely, and I'll channel you into my body!
Basara: Does she ever think before speaking?
Basara: Surrendering one's self as a vessel to invoke a soul is not to be taken lightly...
Basara: Knowing her propensity for blitheness, Garjana must be constantly beside himself with worry.
And yet, as he watches the girl run off, an exasperated smile flickers on his face alongside his faint feeling of concern.
I'm on a Boat!
Vajra and the crew have a swimming race to a rocky outcropping. They encounter two fishermen who are preparing for a sea ritual, one that will chase away a monstrous fish from their fishing grounds while simultaneously thanking it and praying for its return next season. Vajra asks the boat captain if she and Basara can come along, and he happily accepts when he finds out she's a Divine General.
Vajra: Pffwah!
Vajra: I win!
Lyria: Pant... pant... She's so fast...
Vajra and company finish a race to see who can swim from the beach to a rock formation the fastest.
Vyrn: You sure you ain't the guardian of the fish temple? You sure paddled away fast for a newbie seafarer.
Vajra: That doesn't mean I don't know how to swim, you know! I've dived into rivers and pools before!
Vajra: The waves made things a bit tougher, but I got used to them. Swimming in the sea is just as much fun as anywhere else!
Garjana: ...
Lyria: Look at Gar go. He's a pro doggy paddler too.
Puppies: Arf! Arf!
Vyrn: The pups are no slouches either. They've conquered the high seas.
Vajra: Yep, they're fast learners.
Vajra: Oh, look, Dvi! There's a little fishy right beside you!
Dvi: Arf!
Tri: Woof!
Vyrn: Hey! Watch where you're splashin'!
Eka: Yip yip!
Vajra: Hey, whoa! No! It's rude to play with food, especially if you're not going to eat it!
Puppies: Arf!
Lyria: Ahaha! They sure are having a blast!
Vajra: What do you guys want to do next?
Vajra: I wouldn't mind catching fish with the pups—
Vajra: Huh?
Vyrn: What's up?
Vajra: I think something's happening over there.
Lyria: Over where?
Vajra points past the rock formation.
Vyrn: Oh yeah. I see a boat next to that jetty.
Lyria: Are they getting ready to leave?
Vajra: Could be. But this is no ordinary sailing trip...
Vajra: ...
Vajra: I can tell from the way the spirits are murmuring.
Vyrn: Hm... Wonder why.
Lyria: Is everything all right?
Vajra: Yep, doesn't sound like the voices are mad or anything. I think they're actually excited!
Vajra: I wanna go see what's up!
Lyria: Me too! Come on, everyone!
Young Fisherman: All equipment and cargo are accounted for, Dad!
Boat Captain: Aye, son! Now to load everything aboard, and we're off!
Basara: This is what you wished to investigate, Vajra? Why did you bring me out here too?
Boat Captain: We brought a great selection of wine this year. I'm sure this'll be much appreciated.
Basara: That vessel is not an airship. It appears to be a boat for crossing water.
Vajra: You're right. It probably belongs to those fish hunters.
Basara: Fish hunters?
Lyria: It looks like the fishermen are decorating their boat.
Vyrn: I get the feelin' they ain't out to catch regular fish. What could they be up to?
Vajra: Let's ask!
Vajra: Hello!
Boat Captain: Hm? Who do we have here?
Vajra: Whatcha guys doing? Your boat's covered in all kinds of banners. And what are those crates for?
Boat Captain: You ain't from around here, are ya? Tourists?
Vyrn: Actually we're skyfarers.
Boat Captain: Well, I'll be darned! Nice to meet ya.
Boat Captain: We're getting ready for a festival.
Vajra: Did you say festival?
Vajra bolts upright, her eyes brimming with excitement.
Vajra: I knew something was boiling in the pot! The smell practically screamed "party time!"
Boat Captain: Haha! Huge festival fan, eh?
Vajra: Yep, I love festivals! The crowds, the vibes... It's the best!
Lyria: What kind of festival is it going to be?
Boat Captain: Well, it's less of a real festival, and more about paying tribute. Around this time of year, we flush out a huge sea monster from the fishing grounds.
Vyrn: Sea monster, huh? You gonna fry it up?
Boat Captain: Whoa, settle down, sonny. We're just gonna chase it away.
Boat Captain: Now, it's true the beasty makes it hard for us fishermen to do our job, but at the same time, we'd be in trouble without it.
Boat Captain: Whenever the monster swims down to these here fishing grounds, it scares out lots of fish from hiding.
Boat Captain: That's when we swoop in to fill our nets, and eventually, people's bellies with seafood.
Vajra: Ah, I get it. Even though you're chasing it away from the fishing grounds this time, you're also offering thanks and a prayer for it to come back again next year.
Boat Captain: You got it! I see you're no stranger to rituals!
Boat Captain: Ours is a lesser known tradition among the bigger events Auguste throws, but this fishing spot has been passed down for generations.
Boat Captain: And to top it all off, my boy moved back to the island this year, an' he asked to inherit my boat.
Boat Captain: In fact, this is going to be the lad's first time out.
Vajra: No wonder there's so much buzz in the air! I can feel the energy!
Vajra: I wanna join too, if you'll let me!
Vyrn: Vajra's got the right idea! I'm interested too!
Boat Captain: Um... Are you saying you want to ride with us out to the fishing grounds?
Vajra: Yes, please. We'd like that very much.
Boat Captain: Hm... It'd be one thing if you were seafarers, but skyfarers don't exactly have much experience with water, do they?
Boat Captain: I like to keep the trip enjoyable, but that doesn't mean there isn't some risk involved.
Vajra: I won't force you, of course. Traditions have proper etiquette, and I have no intention of disrespecting the rules.
Vajra: It's just that...
Vajra: Even the spirits are excited for your long-held tradition.
Vajra: I was hoping I could watch, and I won't get in the way.
Boat Captain: Spirits? Don't have the slightest clue what you mean, lass.
Lyria: You see, Vajra is a Divine General of the Canine Temple.
Vyrn: Spirits are in a lot of things in nature. You can't see 'em, but Vajra can hear their voices.
Boat Captain: A Divine General?
Boat Captain: I'm talking to a real live Divine General?
Vajra: Yes. I'm Vajra, this generation's deity of war.
Boat Captain: Incredible. Never met a Divine General before.
Boat Captain: Hop on in. My boat is your boat.
Boat Captain: Yes! This offering is going to be twice as blessed with a keeper onboard!
I'm on a Boat!: Scene 2
The monstrous fish causes the boat to rock violently, which sends much of the ritual equipment tumbling into the water. Without that equipment, it's now up to the crew to drive away the fish, but Vajra suddenly grows weak and impaired. Just as she's about to be tossed overboard by the waves, Basara takes control of her body and joins (Captain) in facing off against the fish.
Vajra: Woo-hoo! So this is what it's like to sail! You can't feel this kind of breeze standing onshore!
The festively decorated boat carries the crew out to open waters.
Lyria: The weather's perfect. I love the fresh smell of the sea.
Boat Captain: We're comin' up on the fishing grounds! How's our gear?
Young Fisherman: F-fine! Everything's good to go, Dad!
Young Fisherman: Just gotta purify the harpoon with wine next... Um, what else do I need to remember to do?
Young Fisherman: Ah! Aim in front of the sea monster. Don't hit it, don't hit it...
Vyrn: That's the boat captain's son, right? He seems pretty jumpy.
Lyria: Yeah... He's actually making me nervous now...
Young Fisherman: Er, is this the right wine? Yes... Wait, no... I'm supposed to pour this into the water after launching the harpoon...
Vajra: Hm...
Vajra approaches the young man, whose hands tremble as he works.
Vajra: You okay?
Young Fisherman: Huh? Oh, y-yeah! Never better...
Vajra: How about relaxing a little bit? Today's too special to be scowling the whole time.
Young Fisherman: Easy for you to say. It'll be my butt on the grill if I mess this up.
Vajra: You're a responsible guy who only wants to do his best for others. I respect that.
Vajra: It's natural to be afraid of confronting things that are beyond our understanding. Failing could anger the spirits, and of course, no one wants that.
Vajra: So I definitely know how you feel.
Vajra: But even though there's only a few of us here, you still call this a festival, right?
Vajra: I think of festivals as events where everyone's voices and passions mix together in a giant pot of excitement.
Vajra: All things in nature can feel, not just people. You don't always need words to express enthusiasm for celebration.
Vajra: That's why I love festivals!
Young Fisherman: Enthusiasm, huh...
Vajra: I'm not saying solemness doesn't have its place too.
Vajra: But when I see the grin on your dad's face, I think, "This should be a fun occasion."
Vajra: So take a page from his book and chill out a bit! That way the sea monster and sea spirits will have a better time too!
Young Fisherman: Yeah, I guess you're right...
Vajra: Whaaa!
The boat lurches wildly, causing Vajra to flail and stumble.
Young Fisherman: Watch your step. The waves can get extra choppy this far out.
Vajra: Oh, is that what that was?
Young Fisherman: Yep, so be careful. I'm going to go help Dad now.
Vajra: Good luck!
Young Fisherman: Thanks!
A bit of life returns to the young man's face, and he heads off to do more work.
Basara: Someone's been working on her counseling skills.
Vajra: You're talking to the girl who crushed the trials of the first war deity.
Basara: Fine, I'll give you that.
Vajra: Whoa.
Basara: I question the stability of this vessel.
Vajra: Yeah... Flying an airship is tough, but I guess sailing isn't any easier.
Vajra: I'm glad we decided to leave Gar and the pups back at the beach.
Basara: Indeed. Their antics would only serve to hinder the young fisherman's tasks.
Vajra: ...
Basara: Are you listening to me?
Lyria: Vajra? Is something wrong?
Vajra's smile has disappeared, so the crew comes over to check on her.
Vyrn: Where'd your energy go? You were so pumped up a moment ago.
Vajra: Erm, I—
Lyria: Eep!
Vyrn: What the!
Boat Captain: Can you see it?
Young Fisherman: Crap! It's right underneath us!
Vajra: Yaagh!
Boat Captain: Anchor yourselves down to something!
Lyria: Is that...
Vyrn: Monster fish!
Basara: It is colossal!
Sea Terror: ...!
Young Fisherman: Oh no!
Young Fisherman: The wine fell into the water!
A sudden swell tips the boat just enough so that some of its equipment dumps into the water.
Sea Terror: ...!
Boat Captain: Damn! We have to get this situation under control!
Young Fisherman: Ugh... I-I screwed up... It's mad because I screwed up!
Boat Captain: Pull yourself together, son! Shake it off and grab the harpoon! We need to get away from here!
Young Fisherman: There is no harpoon, Dad! It washed overboard!
Boat Captain: You've got to be kidding me! But I can't leave the helm...
Vyrn: (Captain)! It's up to us!
(Captain) nods.
- Vajra!
Choose: Vajra!Vajra: O-oh...
Vajra is in no condition to do anything, her knuckles white from gripping onto the boat's railing.
Lyria: Oh no! What's wrong, Vajra?
Vajra: I don't know... I can't hear... the spirits' voices for some reason...
Vyrn: At a time like this?
Sea Terror: ...!
Lyria: Gasp! It's going to sink the boat!
Vajra: Ergh...
Vajra loses her grip and gets tossed into the air.
Basara manages to grab her before it's too late.
Basara: Vajra!
Vajra: Brosara... Do it!
Basara: The nerve of this girl... Hang on!
With their hands linked together, Vajra and Basara become one.
Vajra?: Hah!
Vajra regains her strength, and she lands on the deck with nimble grace.
Vajra?: Any slower and you would have been lost to the waves.
Lyria: Vajra? No... Basara?
Basara: The one and only. I am currently in control of this body.
Vyrn: She did a soul channeling?
Blessed with the ability to take spirits into her own body, Vajra can even host the soul of the first war deity Basara.
Basara: Driving off the aquatic brute may give it a few chipped scales, but our hands are tied.
Basara: Raise your weapons!
I'm on a Boat!: Scene 3
Once the monstrous fish is driven from the fishing grounds, the crew return to land and get Vajra to a bed. When she finally wakes up, she's completely back to normal. It turns out she had been suffering from seasickness. The crew breathe a sigh of relief, and they can close the books on this thrilling summer day.
Vajra: I suggest you stop struggling and leave.
Sea Terror: ...!
Vyrn: Oh! I think it's had enough!
Sea Terror: ...
Thanks to Basara and the crew, they quell the agitated sea monster, and it swims off into the horizon.
Boat Captain: You did it! You chased it away from the fishing grounds!
Young Fisherman: Phew... Thanks a million!
Boat Captain: Thanks to you landlubbers, we can bring this ritual to a close. I appreciate what you've done.
Vajra: We did what we had to.
Boat Captain: Well then, let's present the rest of our offerings and head back to shore!
Young Fisherman: Got it, Dad!
Now that the boat is no longer furiously swaying, the fishermen attend to their final tasks. Meanwhile the crew gathers around Vajra.
Lyria: Um... Is Vajra okay?
Basara: Hm...
Basara: Some weakness still lingers.
Basara: I will remain in control until we disembark and return to a place where she can rest.
Vyrn: Okay, that's probably the right call.
Vyrn: Wonder what came over her in the first place?
Lyria: I hope it's nothing serious...
Basara: ...
The boat returns to shore without further incident. (Captain) and company quickly take Vajra back to her room.
Vajra: Snooze...
Vyrn: She's sleepin' like a baby.
Lyria: Mm-hm. She seems perfectly okay now.
Garjana: Master said she couldn't hear the spirits' voices?
Vyrn: Yep. Things were goin' great for the first half of the boat ride, but all of a sudden she said couldn't hear a peep.
Lyria: It didn't help that she could barely stand up either...
Garjana: ...
Basara: Sigh... Look at the amount of concern she is causing. She still has much growing up to do.
Basara: Not that it matters what my opinions are. No one can hear me as long as she is asleep.
Basara: Though I suppose I should get used to this arrangement.
Basara: Despite her age, she can still hear the voices of spirits and even invoke my soul. Few, if any, can replicate her success.
Basara: She is destined for greatness.
Vajra: Ngh...
Vyrn: Ah! She's waking up!
Lyria: Vajra! How are you feeling?
Puppies: Arf! Arf!
Vajra: Morning, gang...
Vyrn: Wrong answer. We asked if you're feeling better.
Vajra: Yeah, much better. That was a nice nap.
Basara: Can you hear my voice again?
Vajra: Loud and clear, Brosara. Same for the other spirits.
Vajra: They're chatty as ever.
Lyria: Then is everything back to normal?
Vajra: Yep. Sorry for worrying you all.
Lyria: Phew... I'm so relieved!
Garjana: ...
Her friends can breathe easy again.
Vyrn: What the heck happened out there? I've never seen you be weak like that.
Vajra: I don't know. It caught me by surprise too.
Vajra: Once we got out to deeper waters, it was hard to stand up with the boat wobbling so much.
Vajra: It felt like my stomach was doing backflips, and it was hard to breathe. The world was spinning...
Vyrn: Hold on... Doesn't that sound like—
Lyria: Seasickness?
Vajra and Basara: Seasickness?
Vyrn: People who don't sail a lot tend to get sick from the ship bobbing on the waves.
Lyria: You didn't know about seasickness since it was your first time out to sea.
Vajra: How about that! Guess there's a sickness for everything!
Vyrn: It usually goes away by itself once you get back to dry land.
Basara: Hmph. Then it was nothing more than a false alarm.
Vajra: Sorry, Brosara, for doing an emergency soul channeling.
Basara: That does not bother me.
Vajra: Really? Even though you're scared of the sea?
Basara: Wh-whaaat? Fool! How dare you insinuate such a bald-faced lie! Me? Scared? I think not!
Vajra: Huh? But during the soul channeling, I definitely felt—
Basara: Hush your tongue! Speak no more!
Basara: Have you no respect for the originator of your duties!
Vajra: What? Of course I do.
Vajra: You're strong and dependable! That's why I like you so much, Brosara!
Basara: M-mind your phrasing!
Vyrn: Well, I think it's safe to say Vajra's back to bein' herself again.
Lyria: Uh-huh! There wasn't anything serious to worry about.
Vyrn: And as a bonus, it sounds like Vajra and Basara are closer than before!
Basara: Look what you have wrought! I demand you resolve this misunderstanding at once, Vajra!
Vajra: What misunderstanding? You and I are pack buddies! Hahaha!
Outside the window, the crew sees a beautiful sunset.
Their eventful outing has come to an end, but tomorrow is another exciting summer day.